Wrapping machine



Nov. 14, 1933. D. M. SMITH 1,934,756

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed April 15, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 14, 1933. I M. SMITH 1,934,755

' WRAPPING MACHINE Filed April 15, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 r 32 M/Wf/VTQQ i 33 DALLAS MM/TH.

Nov. 14, 1933,

D. M. SMITH WRAPPING MACHINE Filed April 13, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 14, 1933. D M SMITH 1,934,756

WRAPPING a MACHINE Filed April 13, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 W 7 ix Patented Nov. 14, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE WRAPPING MACHINE Application April 13, 1931. Serial No. 529,740

20 Claims.

My invention relates to wrapping machines and more particularly to wrapping machines for articles which are not rectangular or square, but which have non-rectangular outlines or which are oval or round in shape.

Heretofore, although many machines of various types have been furnished for wrapping rectangular objects, articles such as described above which are oval or round or which were otherwise shaped to have non-rectangular outlines andparticularly such objects which are comparatively thin and fiat necessarily have been wrapped by hand. Particular difiiculty has been encountered in wrapping flat objects which are round or oval shaped. Wrapping by hand is costly and also the resultant package is unattractive in appearance so that in most cases manufacturers or venders of articles of this shape usually placed them in small envelopes which were costly and which, if a number of articles each individually wrapped were in a container, necessitated the provision of a square or rectangular container to follow the outlines of the envelopes and, therefore, the cost of wrapping and packing was great. The object of my invention is to provide a Wrapping machine for articles which are not rectangular or square and particularly for articles which are thin and round or oval shaped, wherein the wrapper for the article may be quick- 30 ly and easily applied and will follow the contour thereof and whereby a neat and attractive package will result.

Although in its broadest application my invention resides in providing means for receiving the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor and means adapted to move inwardly from the edge of the article toward the center thereof and thereby carry said wrapper over the article 1 have shown in the accompanying drawings a specific embodiment of my invention for wrapping thin, round articles such aspiston rings. In these drawings wherein similar characters are used to designate similar parts Fig. 1 is a general view in elevation of this embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of part ofthe device; Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the wrapping head with the article to be wrapped and. the wrapper in place therein; Fig. 4 is a partial view of Fig. 3 showing operation of the parts to wrap the article; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the article and the parts after wrapping; Fig. 6 shows the parts used in delivering the wrapped article from the head; Fig. 7 is a detailed view of the iris diaphragm, hereinafter explained; Fig. 8 is a section through the wrapping head to show fingers for gripping the article to be wrapped; and Fig. 9 shows the article as wrapped.

Referring to the figures this embodiment of my invention includes a support table 1 on which are mounted the wrapping head 2 and other parts of the device. The wrapping head 2 is mounted through a suitable opening in the top of the table 1 and comprises a base plate '3 secured to the table by screws 4 or any other suitable means, a circular casing 5 containing the wrapping mechanism as hereinafter described and a bottom 6 suspended from the base plate 3 by bolts 7 passing through tubes 8.

The specific type of wrapping mechanism shown consists of a plate 9 adapted to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, fingers 10 which are arranged to maintain the article and the wrapper in predetermined position on the plate and arranged to be movable and adjustable as hereinafter described and an iris diaphragm 11 which is arranged to be opened to a point beyond the outer edge of the article but which may be closed over the side of the article opposite to that which rests on the plate 9 and thereby carry the wrapper over the article.

The casing 5 is mounted so as to be partially revolved about the upwardly projecting part 5 of the base plate 3. The outer ends of the fingers 10 are pivotally anchored in notches 13 formed in the vertical wall of the casing 5 and a pin 14 passes through the fingers 10 and into the stationary part 5 so that when the head 5 is revolved the outer ends of the fingers 10 will be moved thereby relative to the pin 14 and the inner ends of the fingers will be moved towards or away from the center of the plate 9 according to the direction of movement of the casing.

The opening and closing movement of the iris diaphragm 11 is controlled by partial rotation of. a ring 12 rotatably mounted in the casing 5 but movable independently thereof. The leaves 15 of the iris diaphragm are of the usual crescent shape, as shown in Fig. 7 and one end of each leaf is'pivotally attached to the rotatable ring 12 and the other end of each leaf is pivotaily attached to the upper wall of the casing 5. When the ring 12 is rotated relative to the casing 5 the middle part of each leaf is moved tobell-crank 20 so that depression of the pedal 18 will move the rod 17 in a direction to close the iris diaphragm 11. I prefer that a stop 21 be mounted on the table 1 and that adjustable nuts 22 be threaded on the rod 1'1 so that the rotation of the ring 12 in both directions and, in turn, the opening and closing movement of the iris diaphragm 11 may be limited.

I prefer that the ring 12 has a comparatively tight fit in the groove in the inner wall of the casing 5 in which it is rotatably mounted, as"

described above, so that when the ring 12 is moved to close the iris diaphragm friction between the ring 12 and the casing '5 will revolve said casing to swing the inner ends of the fingers 10 inwardly to grip and center the article to be wrapped. Likewise, when the ring 12 is movedto open the iris diaphragm the casing 5 will be revolved in a direction to swing the inner ends of the fingers 10 outwardly to release the wrapped articles. The ring 12 and groove in the casing 5 are arranged and formed so that when the fingers 10 have gripped the articles to be wrapped the ring 12 will slip within the groove and the fingers 10 will not be-moved further to injure or crush the article; It will thus be seen that the parts are so arranged that a slight rotation of the ring 12 will move the fingers 10 to grip the article and further rotation will close the iris diaphragm, all for the purposes more fully hereinafter explained.

The plate 9, as shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 6, is preferably carried by a base 23 hingedly mounted on a, pintle 24 to the base plate 3 of the wrapping head. I prefer that the plate 9 be adjustable so that the space between the upper surface of the plate and the iris diaphragm 11 may be varied to accommodate articles of different thicknesses and, therefore, the plate 9, is carried on a stub shaft 25 threaded through the center of the base 23 and into the boss 25 carried by the base. Depending from the base 23 is a link 26 attached to the bell crank 2'7 which is connected by a rod 28 to a foot pedal 29 so that depression of the pedal 29 will move the base 23 and plate 9 carried thereby away from horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 9, for the purpose more fully hereinafter explained. A coil spring 30 is preferably mounted on the hinge of the pintle 24 to return the base 23 and plate 9 to horizontal position when the pedal 29 is released.

The operation of this embodiment of my device is as follows:-The fingers 10 are adjusted by moving the casing 5 so that the inner ends thereof generally outline a space slightly larger than the article such we. piston ring 31 to be wrapped and the proper nut 22 on the rod 1'? is adjusted against the stop 21 so that movement of the casing 5 to open the fingers to wider position is prevented. The ring 31 to be wrapped and the wrapper 32 therefor is placed in the space defined by the inner ends of the fingers 10 and on the plate 9 with the wrapper 32 in contact with the plate and extending upwardly around the outer edge of the ring, as shown in Fig. 6. The ring 12 is thenrotated by depressing the foot pedal 18 and as the rotation takes place the ends of the fingers 10 will be moved inwardly to grip the ring and the wrapper and center them on the plate 9 and the wrapper will be folded upwardly as shown in Fig. 7. Further depression of the pedal will move the leaves 15 of the iris diaphragm 11 inwardly over the side of the ring not in contact with the plate 9 and the wrapper 32 will be carried over the ring as shown in Fig. 8. As the wrapper is carried over the ring it necessarily will be gathered on top, as shown in Fig, 9, but will be smooth on the side in contact with the plate. As described above the fingers 10 are moved by the friction between the casing 5 and ring 12 and after the fingers have gripped the article and wrapper the ring 12 moves relative to the casing and only. the iris diaphragm is moved.

Preferably, a device embodying my invention includes means for applying a label or other medium to hold the wrapper in folded position around the ring and in this embodiment such means includes a suction cup having a. perforated bottom 33 movable relative to a top 34 and including a washer 35 and spring 36. The suction cup is suspended on a rod 44 slidably carried in the boss 45 formed on the end of an arm 46 swingably mounted on an upright 47 fixed to the table 1. The upper end of the slidable rod 44 is attached to the lever 48 so that by moving the lever the suction cup may be swung from side to side or may be movedup and down.

Labels are carried on the table 1 in 'a dish 3'7 and when the article has been wrapped and a labelis to be applied to hold the wrapper in position around the article the suction cup is moved down on a label in the dish 3'? whereby the part 33 is moved upwardly relative to the .part 34'to expel air through the tube 38 from below the washer 35 and the operator of the device then closes the trigger valve 39 in the tube 38 and prevents air from returning into the cup so that a suction is created through the perforations 40 in the part 33 to hold the label 43 in place against the bottom of the cup. The cup is then swung over the brush 41 to moisten the gum on the lower side of the label and the label is then applied to the wrapper, as shown in Fig. 8. After the label has been applied the trigger valve 39 is released so that air may'enter the cup and the suction therein will be released and the spring 36 will move the parts 33 and 34 away from one another.

After the label has been applied to the wrapper the leaves 15 of the iris diaphragm 11 are moved to open the iris by manual operation of the ring 12 through the handle 16. The foot pedal 29 is then depressed to move the base 23 l and plate 9 out of horizontal position and thereby to deliver the wrapped ring from the wrapping head and into a shipping container 42 conveniently placed on the bottom 6.

In the-operation of the device the proper nut 22 is adjusted against the stop 21 so that the iris diaphragm 11 does not close too far to prevent application of the label, and, also, the other nut is adjusted so that the iris may be opened beyond the outer-edge of the ring 31. If a ring derstood that in embodying my invention in wrapping machines for articles of various sizes and types the size, shape-and arrangement and construction of the parts may be varied within wide limits without deviating from the spirit of my invention as included in the appended claims. 1

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

1. A wrapping machine including a plate to receive the article to be wrapped, the wrapper therefor and means positioned on the opposite side of said article from said plate and arranged and adapted to move inwardly from the outer edge of said article toward the center thereof and thereby carry said wrapper over said article, and a stop to prevent said means from moving across said center.

2. A wrapping machine including a plate to receive the article to be wrapped and a wrapper therefor, means for gripping said article and said wrapper to maintain themin predetermined position on said plate and means arranged and adaptedsubsequently to move inwardly from the outer edge of said article toward the center thereof and thereby carry said wrapper over said article.

3. A wrapping machine including a plate to receive the article to be wrapped and a wrapper therefor, movable fingers for maintaining said article and said wrapper in predetermined position on said plate, means arranged and adapted subsequently to move inwardly from the outer edge of said article toward the center thereof and thereby carry said wrapper .over said article,

and a stop to prevent said means from moving across said center.

4. A wrapping machine including a plate to receive the article to be wrapped and a wrapper therefor, means for gripping said article and said wrapper to maintain them in predetermined position on said plate and means arranged and adapted subsequently to move inwardly simultaneously from all points on the outer edge of said article toward the center thereof and thereby carry said wrapper over said article, and a stop to prevent said means from moving across said center.

5. A wrapping machine including a plate to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, an iris diaphragm positioned on the opposite side of said article from said plate and arranged to be opened beyond the outer edge of said article and to be closed to engage said wrapper and carry it over said article, and means to prevent said diaphragm from closing entirely over said article.

6. A wrapping machine including a plate to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, movable means for maintaining said article and said wrapper in predetermined position on said plate and an iris diaphragm arranged to be closed subsequently to carry said wrapper over said article.

'7. A wrapping machine including a plate to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefore, means for gripping said article and said wrapper whereby they may be maintained in pre-determined position on said plate and an iris diaphragm arranged to be closed subsequently to carry, said wrapper over said article.

8. A wrapping machine including a wrapping head comprising a plate to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, a ring rotatably mounted in said head, means for maintaining said article and said wrapper in predetermined position on said plate and an iris diaphragm adapted subsequently to be operated by rotation of said ring and positioned and arranged to move inwardly from the outer edge of said article and thereby carry said wrapper thereover.

9. A wrapping machine including a wrapping head comprising a plate to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, a ring rotatably mounted in said head, means for maintaining said article and said wrapper in predetermined position on said plate, an iris diaphragm positioned and arranged to be moved inwardly from the outer edge of said article and thereby carry said wrapper thereover, and operative connections between said ring and said maintaining means and said iris diaphragm whereby rotation of said ring will move said maintaining means and will operate said iris diaphragm.

10. A wrapping machine including a wrapping head comprising a plate to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, a

ring rotatably mounted in said head, movable ping head compnising a plate to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, a ring rotatably mounted in said head, movable means for maintaining said article and said wrapper in predetermined position on said plate and an iris diaphragm arranged and positioned to move inwardly from the outer edge of said article and thereby carry said wrapper thereover, and operative connections between said gripping means and said iris diaphragm and said ring whereby rotation of said ring will first move said gripping means to grip said article and then move said iris diaphragm inwardly.

12. A wrapping machine including a wrapping head comprising means to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, a ring rotatably mounted in said head, movable fingers for gripping said article and said wrapper to maintain them in predetermined position on said plate and means positioned on the opposite side of said article from said plate and arranged and adapted to move inwardly from the outer edge of said article to the center thereof and thereby carry said wrapper over said article, and operative connections between said ring and said fingers and said inwardly movable means whereby rotation of said ring will first move said fingers to grip said article and will move said means inwardly.

v 13. A wrapping machine including a wrapping head comprising a plate to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, a ring rotatably mounted in said head, movable fingers for gripping said article and said wrapper to maintain them in predetermined position on said plate, an iris diaphragm positioned on the opp'osite side of said article from said plate and arranged to move inwardly from the outer edge of said article toward the center thereof and thereby carry said wrapper over said article, and operative connections between said ring and said fingers and said iris diaphragm wherebyrotation of said ring will move said fingers to grip said article and will move said iris diaphragm inwardly.

14. A wrapping machine including a wrapper head comprising a plate to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, an iris diaphragm arranged and positioned to move inwardly from the outer edge of said article and thereby carry said wrapper thereover, and means to limit the inward movement of said iris diaphragm.

15. A wrapping machine including a wrapping head comprising a plate to receive the articles to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, a ring rotatably mounted in said head, an iris diaphragm arranged and positioned to move inwardly from the outer edge of said article and thereby carry said wrapper thereover, an operative connection between said iris diaphragm and said ring whereby rotation of said ring will move said iris dia phragm inwardly, and means to limit the rotation of said ring and thereby limit the movement of said iris diaphragm.

16. A wrapping machine including a wrapping head comprising a plate to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, means positioned on the opposite side of said article from said plate and arranged and adapted to move inwardlyofrom the outer edge of said article toward the center thereof and thereby carry said wrapper over said article and said plate being carried by a movable base and being adjustable relative to said base whereby the space between said plate and said means may be increased or decreased.

1'7. A wrapping machine including a wrapping head comprising a plate to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, means positioned on the opposite side of said article from said plate and arranged and adapted to move inwardly from the outer edge of said article toward the center thereof and thereby carry said wrapper over said article and said plate being adjustable relative to said means and being pivotally attached to said wrapping head so as to be movable to deliver from said head said article after it is wrapped.

- 18. A wrapping machine including a wrapping head comprising a plate to receive the article to bewrapped andthe wrapper therefor, movable means for maintaining said article and said wrapper in predetermined position on said plate, an iris diaphragm positioned on the opposite side of said article from said plate and arranged to move inwardly from the outer edge of said article toward the center thereof and thereby carry said wrapper over said article, said plate being adjustable relative to said iris diaphragm and being movable to deliver from said machine said article after it is wrapped.

19. A wrapping machine including a wrapping head comprising a plate to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, a ring rotatably mounted in saidhead, movable fingers for gripping said article and said wrapper to maintain them in predetermined position on said plate, an iris diaphragm positioned on the opposite side of said article from said plate and arranged to move inwardly from the outer edge of said article toward the center thereof and thereby carry said wrapper over said article, operative connections between said ring and said fingers and said iris diaphragm whereby rotation of said ring will move said fingers to grip said article and will move said iris diaphragm inwardly, and said plate being adjustable relative to said iris diaphragm and being movable to deliver from said machine said article after it is wrapped.

20. A wrapping machine including a wrapping head comprising a plate to receive the article to be wrapped and the wrapper therefor, a ring rotatably mounted in said head, movable fingers for gripping said article and said wrapper to maintain them in predetermined position on said plate, an iris diaphragm positioned on the opposite side of said article from said plate and arranged to move inwardly from the outer edge of said article toward the center thereof and thereby carry said wrapper over said article, uperative connections between said ring and said fingers and said iris diaphragm whereby rotation of said ring will move said fingers to grip said article and will move said iris diaphragm inwardly, means to limit rotation of said ring and thereby to limit movement of said iris diaphragm, means for applyinga label to said wrapper after it has been carried over said article. and said plate being adjustable relative to said iris diaphragm and being movable to deliver from said machine said article after it is wrapped.

DALLAS M. SMITH. 

